Embodiment
The invention provides a kind of method and system that is used to improve multimedia messages delivery of content business.According to the present invention, subscriber equipment (UE) can be realized by under the constraints that obtains in a WLAN coverage territory in this information content at a request of the multimedia messages delivery of content that predetermined batch processing is made.These WLAN coverage territories can be the positions of knowing, for example the center of the gas station on highway, cafe on the way home or a specific request.Multimedia service can utilize wlan system can with high bandwidth provide from a such position with low cost.A 3G operator (cellular system operator) can provide this business, or help provides this business, because this 3G operator is not lost the user because of the high charge through the content of multimedia transmission of simple UMTS network or independent WLAN high speed business, and can reuse the accounting system of this 3G.
One of subject matter in the field of wireless transmission is the transmission of content of multimedia, transmits the costliness that this multimedia messages content normally can not be born through a pure UMTS network with the speed of M bit/per minute.Use therein term ' multimedia messages content ' comprises any program, and these programs comprise video and/or audio component.The present invention provides content of multimedia with high data rate valuably in the WLAN coverage territory but provides constraint to get back to this 3G operator it, makes this 3G operator not lose its user base.At a preferred embodiment, this user has the advantage that request is made in the optional position in the 3G honeycomb, makes with than in the simple much lower cost of UMTS network and much higher data rate is waited for request the information content that is downloaded downloads to the user's set in the WLAN coverage territory that this user selects.
This 3G operator has the convenience of reusing this 3G record keeping mechanism and utilizing the possible high data rate among the WLAN, so that still keep network client when the information content is provided.This conception among the present invention can be with any system operation, for example can with the GPRS/CDMA 2000 of WLAN interactive operation.
It should be understood that the present invention is according to the 3G system description that utilizes WLAN; Yet it is much wide that scope of the present invention is wanted, and can comprise any cellular system that utilizes WLAN that wherein can transmit multimedia file.In addition, the present invention is applicable to any system booking method, comprises that wherein subscriber equipment has the access to one or several WLAN with the order of phone, set-top box, computer, satellite circuit etc.
It should be understood that each assembly shown in the figure can use various forms of hardware, software or their compound mode to realize.These parts preferably realize that with the combination of the hardware and software on one or more general purpose device of suitably programming these devices can comprise processor, memory and input/output interface.
With reference now to drawings in detail,, identify similar or identical unit with identical reference number in the accompanying drawing, exemplarily be illustrated in the system configuration 10 in the third generation cellular network (3G honeycomb) among Fig. 1, be used for through wireless/radio frequency network integrated voice, data, video and other business.The system configuration 10 that provides is to adopt an example WLAN-UMTS environment of the inventive method and system according to the invention.In order to understand the present invention in detail, known each block diagram composition of technical staff of forming this architecture will be described fully.
The present invention exemplarily describes according to UMTS network 12 and WLAN wireless network 14 (for example may by the IEEE 802.11 and the HIPERLAN2 standard of these network using).UMTS mobile network 12 (for example third generation (3G) network) is communicated by letter with a radio frequency access network (RAN) 8 that comprises Node B 11 and radio frequency network controller (RNC) 9.WLAN (14) can pass through GGSN (GGSN 24) and be connected to UMTS network (12) by internet 7.Other connection may be known to one skilled in the art.RAN 8 is connected to a core network (CN) 13 again, core network (CN) 13 comprise SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) 28 for example the business based on packet, based on the business of circuit, by MSC (mobile switching centre) 21 and gateway to for example access of GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) 24 of other PLMN (common moving land network).Core network 13 is also supported and being connected/docking of public switch telephone network (PSTN) 5 and internet 7.
In a UMTS network, can comprise other composition.For example, can provide an attaching position register (HLR) 50, store the homing position of mobile radio station (MS) 40.By the present invention, network 12 (for example PLMN) adopts a mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 to be connected to WLAN 14 by the internet, and this mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 can be used for reminding the store information content of the WLAN of download that the user can use.MS 40 is connected an access point 30, and MS 40 can roam between the radio frequency access network.
Mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 comprises the memory that is used for the store information content, and this information content can be downloaded to and appear at a user among the WLAN.Can in a honeycomb of a cellular network, can in a WLAN, provide mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25, as at the interface between the network or between network, distribute.Module 25 can be used to remind the available information content of user in this WLAN, and the user for the information content that control is made when the user has access to this cellular network asks.When the user came across in the overlay area of this WLAN, this mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 can be used for by this WLAN this information content being provided to the user.Mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 can be realized maybe can being implemented as an interactive operation function according to a kind of interactive operation function (IWF).Mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 can be implemented as a unit or distribute in the middle of the network of its service independently.
In one embodiment, module 25 can comprise a WLAN interactive operation function (IWF), detects once by the appearance of a travelling carriage of this WLAN access point (AP) authentication and according to the parameter downloads of the subsequent discussion uncertain information content for this travelling carriage.The effect of this IWF will be based on the coupling between this WLAN and this UMTS network.In close coupling, this IWF is connected to the core network of UMTS, and this IWF will reuse the UMTS release mechanism, but in loose coupling, IWF is directly connected to the internet, and this IWF will need to utilize the release mechanism of GGSN to come to provide encryption parameter through this internet.This IWF also will need an adaptation layer that parameter of being submitted to by this PLMN and the parameter that is provided by this travelling carriage are provided, so that help the information content to download to correct travelling carriage.
The present invention will utilize module 25 conducts-IWF and exemplarily describe; Though the function of module 25 is described at IWF at this, module 25 can be implemented as an independent unit.
WLAN 14 comprises a plurality of access points 30, provides to allow wireless user equipment (UE) or mobile radio station (MS) 40 to insert and utilize this WLAN.By the present invention, module 25 and these UMTS network 12 reciprocations and interface to a WLAN environment.Module 25 comprises the hardware and software that is used for communication protocol between interpret data packet oriented protocol and other network (for example WLAN and UMTS).
The UMTS-WLAN interactive operation
The present invention can use in UMTS and WLAN (802.11 and HIPERLAN2) wireless network environment.As mentioned above, the UMTS travelling carriage of this 3G is communicated by letter with the radio frequency access network (RAN) 8 that comprises Node B 11 and radio network controller (RNC) 9.RAN 8 is connected to core network (CN) 13 again, and core network (CN) 13 comprises SGSN 28 (business of basic data bag), MSC (mobile switching centre) 21 (business of tandem circuit) and GGSN 24 (to the gateway of other PLMN).The shortcoming that the UMTS network is compared with WLAN is high spectrum cost and low data rate.Therefore, preferably unauthorized frequency band, the data rate WLAN with IEEE 802.11 for example and ETSI Hiperlan2 replaces UMTS, so that preserve the UMTS radio frequency resource and increase the efficient of the RAN of this UMTS.For realizing this point, portable terminal need have a dual stack of a kind of protocol stack that comprises UMTS UE and WLAN MS.This pair protocol stack is implemented in the butt joint between WLAN agreement and the UMTS agreement so that seamless communication between this WLAN and the UMTS is provided.The mode that realizes these pairs protocol stack will make this mobile radio station use WLAN MS in WLAN and use UMTS UE in UMTS.
Exemplarily show structure 10 among Fig. 1, be used for using the transmission of the multimedia messages content of UMTS/GPRS program guide by the WLAN coverage territory.Some access point 30 is restrained to be got back to and can comprise an IWF (interactive operation function) or be included in this mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 among the IWF, and this IWF is connected to this 3G network by internet 7 or by the dedicated link to core network (CN) 13.
Request stage
Mixed-media network modules mixed-media 25 can be used as a server and cache content.In one embodiment, the predetermined information content can be based on popularity, such as preceding 50 films of issuing on DVD, preceding 50 songs, based on the concert in zone etc.As selection, IWF 25 also can be affixed to an information content service device or application server 36.Application server 36 can comprise special information of interest of the user who is stored in wherein or program, makes the user can wish to download according to the present invention this information content.3G operator or other treatment facility (facilitator) can be notified (for example near or in WLAN) UE these programs by program guide or other means.This SGSN 28 can be by the current position of request RNC9 report MS40 or the position of following the tracks of this UE40 by the time of using a position reporting procedure report MS40 to move into or shift out a given service area.This program is relevant with positioning service (LCS) in this professional known lu pattern.
Use is based on the service of 3G location, and this 3G operator can be notified UE the information content of the information content of IWF near or buffer memory from its home page program guide of downloading the immediate WLAN coverage territory of multimedia messages content by following the user.WLAN download system of the present invention can also be a kind of device that is used for the user is attracted to a particular location.For example, if a film is published by premiere or a new disc, then can near this position or this position, provide a scene of the film that can freely download or a part of disc song.Other use also is considered.For example, when the user in a car, import one new when regional, new map datum can be downloaded to a HA Global Positioning Satellite device.
When if the user of search information content finds the required information content, then can be chosen in available in this a WLAN coverage territory concrete program and program identifier (PID) is transferred to this UMTS network, so that request is the concrete information content in this WLAN coverage territory of most convenient for him.Because this UMTS network has had a concentrated accounting system, so the user can be borrowed or lent money to charge with single-click or correspondingly to have an account.
This 3G operator or have this multimedia service or can assist this multimedia service supplier on expense, the 3G operator is also by keeping the client to benefit simultaneously.Therefore, this 3G network has security procedure (for example cipher key change) in the position that utilizes this IWF25.SGSN28 can have a kind of database server 36 of disposed thereon, can control request and use 3G authenticate and this client that keeps accounts from UE.In addition, this SGSN 28 can be forwarded to request pellucidly and can control from the request of this UE and an application server of the tracking of the requested content of the purpose that is kept for keeping accounts.This database server 36 also will require the whole multimedias from the overlay area of concrete Node B or particular location (according to performance) to send to periodically and use approaching this module or the IWF25 in location-based service zone of this UMTS network.This can be forwarded to this IWF25 corresponding to the encryption PTMSI (packet TMSI symbol) of this UE of the multimedia messages content of program Id (PID) through GGSN24 and internet 7 (if not having direct link to exist) and realize by request is accompanied by between GGSN24 and IWF25.The example path of the PTMSI that is used to encrypt is represented as path 42 at Fig. 1.
Transfer stages
When UE 40 enters WLAN coverage territory 14, with access point (AP) 30 registrations.This WLAN-UMTS coupling will control this registration and use known method control safety issue.After finishing the wlan security program, UE delivers to AP30 to the PTMSI and the optional PID that encrypt.This AP30 is forwarded to IWF 25 to this information immediately, and this information that passes to AP 30 by application server 36 is compared with the information that receives from UE.Under the situation of coupling, AP30 is forwarded to UE to that information requested content with the data rate of maximum possible.
In addition, application server 36 uses and comprises the content of multimedia (path that path request path of 44 expressions is selected among Fig. 1) of LIST SERVER search request in this content delivery network, and is forwarded to wherein that UE40 is being engaged in this IWF25 that the information content obtains to the PTMSI of this information content and encryption and PIDS.In this case, this UE has a broader scope selecting the program source rather than is confined to combination with the available information content of IWF or the restriction of local WLAN buffer memory.
The present invention is provided to the user of cellular communications networks to the multimedia messages content in simple mode, 3G subscription for example, and needn't take expensive UMTS bandwidth.This will cause user's low charge and download faster and insert.This 3G operator has kept the control of user base and can attract new user by expansion and improved business are provided.By the present invention, be used for the bill of UMTS system and account mechanism and kept best and be reused.With low data rate available among the 3G, not only this content delivery service is expensive but also will be owing to downloading the battery that quickens consume subscriber equipment slowly.WLAN-UMTS interactive operation of the present invention can help to avoid this situation.Can adopt single WLAN operator to serve several and have the 3G operator that is used at an information content Information of each operator of same hot spot region.
With reference to figure 2, block diagram/flow diagram wherein exemplarily illustrates according to of the present invention and is used to provide the information requested content to a kind of method of user.In frame 120, the user receives the program guide of cellular network, checks the webpage on the internet or read the tabulation of another type of the information content that download can be provided, the information content of notifying the user to can be used for downloading in the overlay area of a WLAN.The list of locations of WLAN this guide also can provide near.In frame 122, the user in the honeycomb of cellular network is through this this information content of cellular network request.In frame 124, by in mixed-media network modules mixed-media, interactive operation server, application server, LIST SERVER or this information content of search and the request of process user in other storage device arbitrarily.In frame 126, this search can comprise according to one or several code of user's input searches for this cellular network and the identification information content, so that provide by user's information requested content according to a request.
In frame 128, the process of this request can comprise determines the position of user in this cellular network, and customer location is compared with the overlay area of this WLAN, whether has entered the overlay area of this WLAN so that determine this user.In frame 130, by being provided at the interactive operation function between this cellular network and this WLAN, and adopt a dual stack agreement to realize communication between the network.
In frame 132, whether the user has entered suitable WLAN coverage territory, then provides this information content of being asked by the user through WLAN.In addition, in frame 132, remind the user that the information content of downloading from this WLAN can be provided.In frame 134, the accounting system of the service supplier by adopting this cellular network comes the accounting of user of downloading for from this WLAN.
Described and be used for the multimedia messages content is run through the most preferred embodiment that transmits in the WLAN coverage territory (mean exemplarily rather than restrictively), should be noted that those skilled in the art can be made according to top giving advice to improve and change.Therefore, be appreciated that in the scope and spirit scope of the present invention defined in additional claims and make change in can be to disclosed specific embodiment of the present invention.